Amnesty International has called on Georgia’s Special Investigation Service to investigate the arrest and detention of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, founder of the independent outlets Netgazeti and Batumelebi, amid mounting concerns over politically motivated prosecutions in the country.
In a letter dated April 14 and addressed to Koka Katsitadze, head of the Special Investigation Service, the rights group said the circumstances of Amaglobeli’s arrest and the subsequent legal proceedings “raise serious doubts about the motives for her persecution”.
Amaglobeli was first detained on January 11 during a protest in Batumi against halted EU integration and later re-arrested under criminal charges the following day, accused of slapping a police officer. Her lawyers have contested the allegations, arguing they were inconsistent with the facts and reflected a broader political agenda.
“The apparent impunity enjoyed by police officers stands in stark contrast to the harsh measures used against Amaglobeli and other demonstrators,” Amnesty said. “This case exemplifies the discriminatory treatment women in Georgia face when they challenge the authorities, particularly in political and protest settings.”
The Batumi City Court granted the prosecution’s request to remand Amaglobeli in custody, citing concerns she might abscond or interfere with the investigation. Amnesty condemned the judge’s swift ruling, calling it a “hasty decision” that appeared to align unquestioningly with the prosecution’s claims.
Since late November 2024, pro-European demonstrations have swept across Georgia, sparked by the ruling Georgian Dream party’s announcement that it would not pursue EU membership talks for the next four years. The protests, which have drawn tens of thousands to the streets, have been marked by a heavy-handed police response, including the use of force against protesters and journalists.
Despite widespread documentation of police violence, no officers have been held accountable.
